LS3-A ailerons unconnected; early release at 50-80 m, tree strike

The pilot of an LS3-A died a few hours after a crash near Baden-Oos; the aircraft was destroyed. The pilot had rigged the glider himself with helpers and launched on aerotow from RWY 22 at 12:57 LT. The initial climb was normal but at about 50-80 m he self-released over the radio without giving reasons. In the following right turn the bank steepened progressively and the right wing struck a tree at 5-7 m AGL about 200 m beyond RWY 04, in a tree nursery. Both L'Hotellier aileron couplings were found unconnected and undeformed — the ailerons had not been linked before flight.

1. Pilot rigs glider; aerotow RWY 22 12:57: The pilot rigs his own LS3-A on the morning of the flight with the help of others and launches on aerotow from RWY 22 of Baden-Oos at 12:57 LT. The initial climb behind the tug is normal.
2. Both L'Hotellier ailerons unconnected: Both aileron L'Hotellier couplings were found unconnected and undeformed, with no forced-opening signs, so the ailerons were never linked to the controls; the pre-flight check missed it.
3. Early self-release at 50-80 m: At about 50 to 80 m above the ground near the end of the airfield, the pilot released the tow rope on his own and reported release over the radio without giving a reason.
4. Right turn, bank steepening: After release the glider enters a right-hand turn. Without aileron authority the pilot can only attempt to control bank with the rudder; the flight path progressively steepens.
5. Right wing hits tree at 5-7 m AGL: About 200 m beyond the runway threshold, in a tree nursery, the right wing struck a tree at 5 to 7 m above ground, breaking open and tearing out linkage parts.
6. Rotation, nose-first impact: The glider rotated after the tree strike and hit the ground nose-first on its side, breaking the fuselage in two places and bursting the cockpit shell; the pilot suffered fatal injuries.